Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-02-16

Ii the north Wished to go into the union
with the south, the latter wa willing to
wait. III the north objected to the
south taking the name Dakota, the PEG
ple OF south were perfectly willing to
take the name south Oak ota. We are
willing to leave this whole matter of
division to the people.
McOumber opposed the bill. He
did NOT believe the people OF the terri
tory wanted division.
All this agitation had come from poll
ticians in the southeastern part of the
territory. He desired to hear from the
gentlemen who follow him one good
reason why the territory should be di-
vided. In the union it is the large states
which WELD the most influence. The
proposition was to expend 100000 for
holding an election upon an expression
of sentiment. But what would we gain
from it? The democratic party hes sig
nified it's purpose not to admit the terri
tory divided. 1t is simply asking the
people to throw away their money. The
democratic party is sharp enough to say,
when your vote on division falls far
short of "a full vote, that the people are
not interested in division. He said II
the people should vote against division
the people of south Dakota who now
favor division would still clamor for it.
Dodge said it seemed to him the only
question was is THE a legitimate use OF
Legislative power?
Congress has delegated to us simply
certain rights-self-government and
privilege to Indicate our desires,
subjects to its right to ratify our neg
alive. He did not believe the people
would come out and vote on the ques-
tion, and If they did nothing would come
of it,. He thought the legislature had
no authority to leglslate on this subject;
that it was d question for congress to
deal With. II congress wants an expires
sion from the people of Dakota it will
provide for it.
Gam said several states of the Union
had come in of their own volition.
1T was sheer nonsense to say that the
people of soath Dakota had acted in q
dislayal He declared if the
question is submitted, and if o majority
of the people vote against division, the
south will accept the decision in good
faith, We propose to submit the ques.
tion in order that there may be no doubt
as to the wishes of o majority of the
Ipeople, in order to leave no pretext tc
those vino are opposed to the growing
northwest TO refuse our admission.
Hughes said:
The first question here is does thi,
proposed Legislation fall within the pow
er of this legislature2 Secondly, wha
good will be accomplished? The legis.
!lative power of the territory is limited
by the organic act. What has the leeis
lative assembly to do with the Guestio,
of division? Nothing whatever. Ever,
question relating to the admission o
this territory is exclusively in the powe
of congress-. III the democrats remain il
power they will not divide Dakota. I
the republicans come into power the,
will divide 1t. The proposed election
will determine nothing.
Wells said congress had repeated,
said that when the people of Dakot'
knew what they wanted 1t would act
, 1t is now proposed to show congress tina
the people did know what they wanted
Galloway opposed division.
He believed that larger states wer
stronger and better. He said that Min
aesota had gone through the same ex
perience that Dakota was now goin!
through. South Minnesota had ono
clamored for separation, but bette
counsels had prevailed and it was no,
one grand state. If the question was I
: be submitted, however, he favored sub
. mission at the general election in 1885
when there would be a full expressio
by the people in November. He sal
his object vas to get q fuller expressio
> of the wishes of the people than woul
be the case if any election was held i
jane. Personally he was in favor {
division. He believed in small state
because they conld be more econom
ically governed, and because peopl
! were nearer the government. He point
q ed to Texas and California as lllnstrt
tions Of the disadvantages of larg
states.
/ Pending the vote upon the motion {
Collins the council adjourned. Th
opinion this evening is that the bill wi
!. pass by q fair majority after being amend
ed so as to provide for the submis
| sion OF the annual election in Novembe
A gentlemen who is interested has mad
: a canvas of the house, and also believe
that it will pass that body if amended 9
suggested. The debate to-day we
. temperate, but very earnest especial
: upon the part OF the southern senator
: who ere evidently willing to ooniede
: postponement to November If necesser
? to secure the passage of the bill.
L.